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Western & Barnetts Nissan is proud to share that Nissan GB, as part of a UK Government-funded consortium, has successfully completed its most advanced autonomous driving (AD) research to date—evolvAD. This landmark project marks a pivotal step in Nissan’s commitment to safer, smarter, and more inclusive mobility.
The conclusion of evolvAD follows eight years of intensive research and over 16,000 miles of autonomous driving with zero accidents, reinforcing the enormous potential of this technology to transform our roads and communities.
Built upon the success of previous Nissan-led research projects HumanDrive and ServCity, evolvAD took AD testing further than ever before. Using a fleet of 100% electric Nissan LEAFs, the project tested autonomous vehicles in some of the UK’s most complex environments—including urban residential areas, rural roads, and mixed traffic conditions.
The tests didn’t just stop at real-world driving. Vehicles underwent rigorous simulation and private track testing before hitting public roads, ensuring top-tier safety and system integrity.
David Moss, SVP of R&D at Nissan AMIEO, said:
“It has been a privilege working with our dedicated partners to advance AD mobility. This technology isn’t just about convenience—it can open doors for people who face mobility challenges, while also making driving safer and more efficient for everyone.”
evolvAD was led by a consortium of five expert partners: Nissan, Connected Places Catapult, Humanising Autonomy, SBD Automotive, and TRL. The project was jointly funded by the UK Government’s £100 million Intelligent Mobility fund, through the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) and Innovate UK.
The research also explored cutting-edge Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) communication, using CCTV and digital mapping to help autonomous vehicles “see” and respond to their surroundings more effectively. This forward-thinking technology helps cars better navigate narrow roads, unmarked rural lanes, and complex intersections—offering a more human-like understanding of the road.
Now that evolvAD has reached its final phase, the focus shifts to assessing how ready UK cities and communities are to adopt autonomous technologies. This includes infrastructure needs, regulations, and public acceptance—key elements that will determine how and when autonomous vehicles will safely roll out across the country.
Robert Bateman, Project Manager for evolvAD and Manager of Nissan’s Advanced Engineering team in the UK, noted:
“We’re now entering a crucial new stage—evaluating the UK’s preparedness for AD systems. Our findings will help shape national policy, urban planning, and future vehicle design.”
From its Technical Centre in Cranfield, Nissan continues to lead in global autonomous innovation. evolvAD contributes to ongoing research alongside efforts in Japan and the US, forming part of a global movement to deliver real-world autonomous mobility services—like Nissan’s ‘Easy Ride’ project in Yokohama.
Sarah Jones MP, Minister for Industry, added:
“The UK is home to a world-class automotive sector. evolvAD is a prime example of how this industry is innovating, creating jobs and supporting growth as we prepare for the future of mobility.”
As the future of driving shifts toward autonomy, Western & Barnetts Nissan remains at the forefront of delivering innovation to our customers. From industry-first safety technologies to game-changing EVs, the road ahead is full of exciting opportunities.
Stay tuned for more updates as Nissan continues shaping a world of cleaner, safer, and more connected driving experiences.
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